Letters to the editor for Sunday, April 21, 2013

Just one question. Was it really necessary to publish a full description of how to make a pressure cooker bomb as you did April 17?

Just one question. Was it really necessary to publish a full description of how to make a pressure cooker bomb as you did April 17?

So what if other papers did? For once, forget the ratings. At least for our children.

Steven M. Brinkman

Cuddebackville

It is bad enough that the terrorist act (yes, Mr. President, it was terrorism, not a man-made tragedy) occurred. Did you have to publish such a detailed depiction of a pressure cooker bomb?

As a newspaper, I would expect the following: The sad fact that there were casualties. The number of innocent victims. Just the facts — provided by experts in the field from the location of the terrorist crime scene. A heartfelt statement hoping that such a horrific terrorist crime is not copied by others.

I understand that you need to report that the device was in fact a bomb, but you did not have to share the recipe for disaster. Any person can access the same information on the Internet.

The only difference is that people who enter the search phrase "how to build a bomb" can be red-flagged by the Department of Homeland Security. Your readership cannot be red-flagged when they drop a dollar to purchase your paper.

Russ Morey

Milton

Ken Hall's ignorance of the facts is no excuse for his backhanded slap at the Republican Party.

If Hall had cared to inquire, he would have learned that David Hoovler's overwhelming support within the Republican committees of Orange County was based upon his plan for the future, his desire to take back the cities, and his willingness to prosecute Medicaid and welfare fraud.

Hoovler's experience as a police officer, detective, assistant district attorney in the Bronx and Orange County, and service in the U.S. Justice Department, uniquely qualify him to serve as Orange County's next district attorney.

He has a stellar academic record and has been involved in such groups as Little League, youth football, Leadership Orange and the Deerpark Town Board. Rather than questioning the inner politics of the Republican Party, Republicans should be applauded for opting for change, notwithstanding the fact that the 28-year incumbent had been an exemplary public servant.

I have been one of Frank Phillips' chief critics, and I strongly urged Hoovler to remain in the race when Phillips changed his mind. The sea change that Hoovler's candidacy represents is something that Hall and the voters of Orange County should welcome.